Rep. Deffenbaugh: Georgia House Update

Day 36 passed this last Friday with just three more days in this session of the Georgia House. This week a lot of bills passed out of Senate Committees and were sent to the House for consideration.

SB136 improves safety on our lakes and rivers. BUI (boating under the influence) is lowered from .1 BAC to .08 BAC. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that alcohol is a contributing factor in over half of the boating fatalities each year. There are several other issues, such as restricting the age limits for driving a certain size boat, increased age requirements for wearing life jackets, and additional penalties that can be levied by the courts for violations.

SB101 Public Safety & Homeland Security (Gun Bill) passed the House with changes made to the HB512. The legislation includes prohibition of the creation of a data base of information regarding persons issued carry licenses.

If you have any questions about these or any other bills, please contact me.

The wife and I have noticed that in the past few years that there seems to be more talk, (All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Living on Earth, New Dimensions, On the Media, Scenic City Round Table, This American Life, To The Best of Our Knowledge, Weekend Edition Saturday, Weekend Edition Sunday, etc., etc.), than walk (music) on WUTC 88.1 FM. We listen ... (click for more)

I don't profess to be the best driver in town. Lord knows I make my share of mistakes while maneuvering through the streets and highways of Chattanooga. However, I would like to publicly give some advise on merging at the entrance ramps to the highways. When I took driver's ed, some many, many years ago, one of the things they taught us was how to merge. I ... (click for more)

Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker said Tuesday he will not seek another U.S. Senate term, but said "important public service" lies ahead. He said, “After much thought, consideration and family discussion over the past year, Elizabeth and I have decided that I will leave the United States Senate when my term expires at the end of 2018. “When ... (click for more)

One state legislator has drafted a bill to end pro sports incentives in Tennessee, while another said he won't attend any more Tennessee Titan games this season in the wake of the team's snub of the National Anthem. Rep. Judd Matheny said he has ordered legislation to be drafted and introduced to stop any and all future economic incentives to professional and amateur ... (click for more)

Several players participated in interviews with media on Tuesday as the Vols continued preparations for their key SEC game against seventh-ranked Georgia on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Players touched on aspects of last weekends’ narrow 17-13 win over UMass and looked ahead to facing the unbeaten Bulldogs. Game time is 3:30 p.m. and CBS will televise the action. Junior ... (click for more)

Things got testy toward the end of Tennessee football coach Butch Jones’ weekly Monday press conference. Early in the “presser,” Jones suggested the media was too interested in drama surrounding his program when he answered a question pertaining to why injured wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who is out for the season, hadn’t been on the sideline in any of the three games he’s ... (click for more)